The Golden Age Project

An infectious saxophone craze swept across post war U.S.A. The bubbling optimism of the time combined with the effect of virtuosi such as Rudy Wiedoeft sparked a mania; everyone wanted to play the sax. It was this era that transformed the image of the sax from novelty gimmick to king of cool. Today, the distinct sound of the 1920s saxophone has all but been forgotten… 

For this exciting project I will team up with specialist historical ensemble the Golden Age Quartet and breathe new life into a rare original 1920s C-melody saxophone. Singing, swinging and soaring; this album will both re-imagine a forgotten musical language and present new Australian sounds; setting original music alongside alongside classics by Wiedoeft, Gershwin, Chaplin and Schullhoff. 

This project represents an innovative direction in the classical music landscape, fusing new music with historically informed performance.

The Duo Histoire

www.duohistoire.com

Duo Histoire is one of Sydney’s finest emerging classical ensembles, always delivering fresh performances in a variety of musical styles. Their broad repertoire ranges from Argentinian tango to Spanish romantic music, from Bossa Nova standards to Classical repertoire. This unique combination of classical guitar and saxophone features award-winning musicians Murilo Tanouye and Nick Russoniello. 

Since its formation in 2006, Duo Histoire has rapidly attracted the attention of audiences, appearing in music festivals and giving concerts across the country. Recently the Duo has recorded for ABC Classic FM, broadcast for Fine Music 102.5FM, performed at the Sydney Opera House for the prestigous Utzon Room Series, appeared as soloist with The Metropolitan Orchestra and toured for Musica Viva Australia. 

Echoes of the Picture Palace Cine-Concert

https://nickrussonielloandthegoldenage.com

In the 1920s America fell in love with the movies; Hollywood’s first stars were born on the silver screens of silent films. Although silent in name, the films of the 1920s were shown in picture palaces where the images sprang to life through the music performed live. Award winning artists Nick Russoniello and the Golden Age Quartet reimagine the magic of the picture palace, performing on 1920s instruments. This concert features a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s The Immigrant with a sparkling new musical score and the story of early cinema unfolds through a series of works by Camille Saint- Saëns, Rudy Wiedoeft and Charlie Chaplin.

Continuum Sax 

 https://www.facebook.com/continuumsax/

Continuum Sax performs a unique repertoire exploring the expressive potential of the saxophone. Continuum Sax develop their repertoire through engagement with leading Australian and international composers, sharing their appreciation of the instrument and its musical possibilities to composers and audiences.

 

You-er- Than You music for sax and loop station

Suite for Saxophones and Loop Station is a tour de force of instant composition. Composed and performed by award-winning saxophonist Nick Russoniello, this virtuosic new work is a layer by layer mash-up of musical influences as diverse as beatbox, reggae, minimalism, polyphony and groove. Russoniello creates a “one-man-band” live on stage, pushing the sonic capabilities of the solo saxophone.